Sloppy Joes, All-American Homemade Comfort Food - Wednesday Journal (2024)

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National Sloppy Joe Day, March 18

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Behold the Sloppy Joe, browned beef, glistening with tangy red sauce that sinks into the spongy bun, rendering the bread much more delicious. It’s a mess to eat, and the enjoyment of the Sloppy Joe depends a lot upon the quality of the sauce. But even if you go beyond Manwich for the sauce (and you really should), the Sloppy Joe is an unabashedly unpretentious sandwich.

The Sloppy Joe is in line of descent from loose meat sandwiches sold at places like the Iowa-based Maid-Rite chain, and the Sloppy Joe may also have its origin in Iowa. According to some accounts, “…a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell’s Café in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his ‘loose meat’ sandwiches and the ‘sloppy joe’ sandwich was born.”

There is a competing origin story that the Sloppy Joe sandwich is named after one or more bars called Sloppy Joe’s in Havana and Tampa. According to this genealogy, the Sloppy Joe sandwich descended from ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban dish of beef and tomato sauce.

Whatever their origin, Sloppy Joes are quintessential all-American comfort food, simple, tasty, and almost never found outside the home. The Dictionary of American Slang defines the Sloppy Joe not as a food but as a “restaurant or lunch counter serving cheap food quickly.” A lunch counter or diner seems like the right place to look for Sloppy Joes. Surprisingly, Sloppy Joes are not offered at likely places like Al’s Grill (1100 Madison) nor at Louie’s Grill (7422 Madison). We’ve had them at Mickey’s Drive-in (635 Mannheim), but really, a Sloppy Joe is something you’re probably going to prepare, and enjoy, at home.

Recently, we (meaning Carolyn) made a batch of Sloppy Joes using a homemade sauce (ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, black pepper and brown sugar) and 85% lean ground beef. You can use a lean meat with Sloppy Joes and still have a moist and delicious sandwich thanks to the sauce. We used a Whole Foods brioche bun, which proved the appropriately soft and absorbent delivery system for the deliciously messy meat.

Like many classic dishes, the Sloppy Joe is open to infinite variation. Uses of different proteins and sauces is one way to vary the standard through personal preference. As I was researching this article, I came across a recipe for a casserole of Sloppy Joe meat and sauce topped with Tater Tots. That sounds like a warm and wonderful dish I’d like to eat while it’s still cold outside.

Celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day on March 18.

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Sloppy Joes, All-American Homemade Comfort Food - Wednesday Journal (3)

Sloppy Joes, All-American Homemade Comfort Food - Wednesday Journal (4)

David Hammond

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David Hammond, a corporate communications consultant and food journalist living in Oak Park, Illinois, is a founder and moderator of LTHForum.com, the 8,500 member Chicago-based culinary chat site. David...More by David Hammond

Sloppy Joes, All-American Homemade Comfort Food - Wednesday Journal (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in my sloppy joes to make them taste better? ›

Add Veggies: Diced bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or shredded carrot, can easily be added to this recipe and your kids won't even notice a difference. Hawaiian Sloppy Joes: Substitute more BBQ sauce for the ketchup and add 8 oz., drained crushed pineapple.

What is the New Jersey version of Sloppy Joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What's the difference between a maid rite and a Sloppy Joe? ›

While both are made with seasoned ground beef, Sloppy Joes feature a rich tomato-based sauce. The meat mixture is slightly sweet and often enjoyed without additional toppings. Loose meat sandwiches like Maid Rites, on the other hand, have no sauce at all.

How do you doctor up sloppy joes? ›

Here are some phenomenal ways to make next-level sloppy joes at home.
  1. Add some brown sugar or apple to lend sweetness to your sloppy joe. ...
  2. Spice your sloppy joe up with chile flakes or canned chiles. ...
  3. Sneak extra veggies into your sloppy joes. ...
  4. Throw in some liquid smoke. ...
  5. Deglaze your sloppy joes with beer. ...
  6. Add salsa to the mix.
Feb 28, 2024

What is the difference between sloppy joe and Manwich? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

How many people does 2 lbs of sloppy joes feed? ›

My mom always made sloppy joes with sauce from a can. Remember that stuff? If you use that, you have to try this easy homemade version that is so much tastier! This recipe uses 2 lbs of ground beef and serves about 8 people.

What is the best bun for sloppy joes? ›

To serve, I suggest toasting buttery brioche buns and pairing the sandwiches with either my sweet and tangy citrus slaw or classic coleslaw, crispy potato chips, and some refrigerator pickles on the side.

What is the fancy name for sloppy joes? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What do people in Wisconsin call Sloppy Joes? ›

sloppy Joes. Some in southeastern and central Wisconsin call these "barbecue" sandwiches.

What do Americans call Sloppy Joes? ›

Sloppy joe's are often referred to by various names depending on what region of the U.S. you're in. Some of those names include: barbecues, dynamites, slushburgers, steamers, and yum-yums. And while usually made with ground beef, some variations include ground chicken, turkey, pork, and even a combination of meats.

Why do they ring the bell at Sloppy Joes? ›

At Sloppy Joe's, tipping is a tradition. A good tip gets a ring of the bell dangling on a long rope above the bar. It's worth a nice tip to watch bartenders like Edy Ducruet ring the bell.

How do I make my sloppy joes less sweet? ›

If you like Sloppy Joes a little less sweet, you can reduce the brown sugar to 1 teaspoon. If you keep the mustard at 2 teaspoons, the result will be a tangier Sloppy Joe.

What is a Sloppy Joe supposed to taste like? ›

A Sloppy Joe is a beloved American sandwich made from ground beef cooked in a tangy and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce and served on a hamburger bun. The name “sloppy” aptly describes the sandwich's messy nature, as the filling tends to spill out of the bun.

Is mayo good on a Sloppy Joe? ›

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard Worcestershire, tomato paste, salt and pepper Stir to combine. If mixture is too thick, add some water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Spread Mayo or Miracle Whip over toasted hamburger buns top with sloppy joe mix, sliced pickles and sliced cheese.

What is a substitute for tomato paste in sloppy joes? ›

You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

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